Odjak

In a film, where the camera is placed in relation to the subject greatly affects the way the viewer perceives that subject.

In life, where the person is in relation to what he/she is experiencing greatly affects that person’s perception.

Some people perceive life from one angle, others get the opportunity to see life through several angles.

Some people place themselves always at equal distance to the event, other people get the chance to vary their placement. They can get closer for intimacy or become detached by moving further away.

Each of us experience life in our own way.

But somehow, we indulge ourselves into thinking that we share a common view.

We become Jews, Muslims, Christians, French, American, Canadian, Armenian, Turkish, liberals, communists, revolutionaries, patriots, lovers, husbands, wives, bosses, employees, consumers.

We allow other people to place the camera for us.

And wannabe directors end up directing our lives.

Intimidation is a global phenomenon.

In many democratic countries threats and intimidation is practiced to silence dissenting voices.

Generally, intimidators start with discrediting the dissenter by revealing falsified information on his/her past.

Intimidators also install fear in the dissenter by physically threatening the well being of that person.

In some extreme cases, they kill one of the dissenters.

The killer is always an unconscious extremist.

The victim is the most outspoken and/or righteous amongst the dissenters.

The killing of a dissenter sets precedence.

It’s the utmost intimidation over the remaining dissenters.

Intimidators believe that they are serving a higher objective.

They are either serving the nation, serving a religion or god, or serving the just struggle.

In fact, intimidators serve the power that organizes them.

“Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired.”
Martha Graham

I understand that practicing is an act of vision, of faith and of desire.

It is an invitation; an opening of doors and windows.

My mother used to say “a good piece of music opens the windows of your soul”.

If you don’t know what your vision, faith and desire is you can go the other way around: A daily practice reveals your vision, your faith and your desire.

Through practice, you realize you are a vision a faith, and a desire.

Every day you are what you practice.

There is a time for being ahead
A time for being behind
A time for being in motion,
A time for being at rest;
A time for being vigorous,
A time for being exhausted;
A time for being safe,
A time for being in danger.

From Tao Teh Ching (Translated by Mitchell)

From Wikipedia:

“Pay the piper” means to face the inevitable consequences of one’s actions.

A phrase with similar meaning and slightly more negative connotation is “face the music”.

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Today’s Zaman, Turkey
March 5 2007

The Turkish government has decided to work with a new lobbyist in the
United States to better fight the Armenian genocide resolution,
which was introduced in the US House of Representatives in January.

For the last seven years Turkey has been working with The Livingston
Group, a Washington, D.C., public relations and lobbying firm founded
in 1999 by former Republican congressman Robert Livingston.

Taking into consideration the fact that last November the Democrats
won a majority in Congress, Turkey decided to work with a lobbyist
known to be close to the Democrats, DLA Piper.

Turkey’s agreement with The Livingston Group expires as of March 1,
but it will continue working with the firm for another six months
in an attempt to avoid any problems during the changeover period,
Turkey’s Ambassador to the United States Nabi ªensoy told Cihan News
Agency (CHA).

Nevertheless, no deal has been signed yet with DLA Piper. After six
months, Turkey may decide to work only with DLA Piper or work with
both of them, ªensoy also said.

Dick Gephardt, who retired in January 2005 after serving Missouri’s
Third Congressional District for 28 years, is one of senior counsels
working at DLA Piper.

Silent gratitude isn’t very much use to anyone.
Gertrude Stein

The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude.
Friedrich Nietzsche

Gratitude is merely the secret hope of further favors.
La Rochefoucauld